Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has responded to allegation of sexual harrassment levelled against him by Joy Nunieh, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Messrs Akpabio and Nunieh recently washed their dirty linens in public when their accusations and counter-accusations pertaining to the mismanagement of N40billion at the NDDC degenerated.
While the former Akwa Ibom State governor left the bone of contention to accuse her of being temperamental and a divorcee of four failed marriages, the lady in question accused him of molesting her sexually which earned him a slap in the face from her.
Responding to the latest allegation of sexual harrassment, the former federal lawmaker said the ex-NDDC MD was trying to pull him down, adding that he no longer wants to divert his attention away from his duty as the minister of Niger Delta.
“We are talking about the Niger Delta region and how we can development to the people. Today, COVID-19 has changed everything. That should be the focus of the media. We should not focus on sensationalism and pull-him down syndrome. For me that is what should engage our attention,” the former governor told Premium Times in Abuja today.
“As a Minister of the Federal Republic, I can’t discuss an individual. I can discuss issues that bring development and move the region forward; things that promote the ideals of the Federal Government. We need to know that President Muhammadu Buhari has achieved a lot in terms of infrastructural development.
“Since I became a politician, I was a Commissioner in Akwa Ibom for six years. I was a governor for eight years. I was Minority Leader of the Nigerian Senate. I am now a Minister of the Federal Republic.
“In all the places I have gone to, I always tried to leave those places better than I met. One does not need to like my face. But, look at my record of achievements and know that I have the capacity and the capability to deliver.
“So, ask me a question about the things I can do to assist Mr President to achieve the objective for which he contested election, which is to the benefit of Nigerians,” the minister added.
He also listed what he has been able to do since he assumed office.
“In the NDDC, since I became a Minister I have been involved in giving out of two contracts. The first was the appointment of the forensic auditors, which the FEC approved. The other contract is the COVID-19 intervention by the NDDC, which included a list of items supplied to the nine states of the region.
“These include 54 PCR machines for the 27 senatorial districts of the region, to assist the states set up two COVID-19 testing centres each. Those equipment are currently being calibrated by the NCDC. There are so many other equipment, apart from assisting the governors to set up isolation centres.”
